POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (April 14, 2012) -- One often hears the expression that the score didn't really reflect the game. Well, the Vassar College women's rugby team was certainly worth its points in the 72-5 win but on a beautiful sunny day in Poughkeepsie, all the spectators had to be impressed by Boston University players as they kept putting in big hits and competing for the ball.

Even as late as the 78th minute, they lowered the boom as a Vassar runner went forward and brought gasps from the crowd. BU perhaps deserved better but the Brewers were in tune up mode for nationals next weekend and they kept their foot on the gas. Last year BU won 31-30 and Vassar scored six tries. This year, Vassar doubled its tally and BU managed just one try.

Vassar Women Vassar College Women 72 v 5 Boston University Women
Tries: Margaret Kwateng (4), Addie Provenzano (3) Julia Maltby (2), Laura Howard (1), O'Mara Taylor (1), Dallas Robinson (1).
Cons: O'Mara Taylor (3) & Gavriella Kaplan (3).

Next: Saturday April 21, 2012 at the USA Rugby National Championship Round of 16 versus American International College Women at Princeton University kick-off 12:00 p.m.

A 5-try first half with all being scored by Vassar was in fact a very competitive affair as BU managed to create a couple of scoring opportunities and actually dominated territory for the first 20 minutes. But when Vassar did get some quality ball they were able to move it and pressure the BU defense. Last weekend right wing O'Mara Taylor enjoyed the limelight as she scored 5 tries against Dartmouth College, however this week she had just 1 while others picked up the slack.

The breakdown was the key area of the game and BU was sharp to poach the ball. Vassar did eventually gain the upperhand but not before they had been frustrated a number of times. The scrummage went well although it seems that next Saturday there could be a significant threat for them to contend with, so the Brewers will need to work hard this week on the machine.

Hannah Bober at 10 made some astonishing tackles and was an inspirational force for the team. In the early stages BU battered their way forward and gained good yards but it was tackling like Bober performed that held them at bay. Most ground gained was from penalties that Vassar need not have given away but in any event it put the Brewers on the back foot and they had to defend.

Vassar opened their account with a try from Margaret Kwateng about 15 minutes in and she quickly repeated the act and it was 10-0 to the home team. A further 3 tries before halftime meant Vassar led 25-0 with Addie Provenzano, Kwateng again, and Julia Maltby crossing. Fullback Provenzano is having a heyday with any deep kicks. She is running with confidence and linking with support which makes her even more dangerous.

It seemed that every kick-off was dropped right in front of Dallas Robinson and she had some storming runs. In fact she put herself about and had an excellent match. The substitutes came on and Natalie Ward deserves special mention for she is a solid tackler. She may have had a couple of handling errors but that can be put down to inexperience at center and she more than made up for it with her tackles.

All in all it was a good run out for the team prior to the big weekend. BU kept hitting and scrummaging hard. The visitors made some breaks and forced Vassar to defend and when Vassar did get the ball it was quite impressive how they created some gaps to exploit.

Team: 15 Addie Provenzano 14 O'Mara Taylor 13 Chelsea Boccagno 12 Laura Howard 11 Julia Maltby 10 Hannah Bober 9 Margaret Kwateng 1 Nichelle Jackson 2 Alyssa Bell 3 Shanaye Williams 4 Maddie Zappala 5 Sandy Pogarcic 6 Dallas Robinson 7 Meg Slattery 8 Nicole Guererro.

Subs: Gavriella Kaplan for Hannah Bober, Natalie Ward for Chelsea Boccagno, Yael Schwartz for Margaret Kwateng, Hannah Fink for O'Mara Taylor, Patty Walton for Sandy Pogarcic.

Vassar Women Vassar College Women "B" 35 v 15 Boston University Women "B"
Tries: Rachel Thompson (1), Tamasha Persaud (1), Natalie Ward (1), Emma Kading (1), & Gavriella Kaplan (1).
Cons: Gavriella Kaplan (5).

This was a victory for the record books as the Brewers came from 10-0 down to serve up a convincing win in style. The tackling was outstanding and Yael Schwartz at scrumhalf was as sharp as a razor getting the ball away. One the ball was in the hands of Gavriella Kaplan the Vassar backs always looked dangerous. She ran through gaps, distributed the ball swiftly, and she even had a couple of very good deep kicks that turned the opposition and put them in trouble.

But the opening 15 minutes was tough for the home team. BU managed to break tackles and get 3 tries on the scoreboard before Vassar had got into gear. Some really huge efforts were made by the Vassar forwards. Maddie Little and Hannah Fink on the flanks did some good defending and Rachel Thompson was very alert around the field. Patty Walton was the glue that held the pack together and she consistently made the right decision in contact allowing Vassar a platform in the loose.

The backs ran good lines and Emma Elbaum sliced through on two occasions to set up good opportunities. Nat ward also had some big runs one of which gave the Brewers the lead.

A very, very satisfactory day at the office for all.

Team: 15 Emma Kading 14 Tamasha Persaud 13 Emma Elbaum 12 Natalie Ward 11 Mia Chatterjee 10 Gavriella Kaplan 9 Yael Schwartz 1 Rachel Thompson 2 Claire Ashley 3 Sophia Rutkin 4 Julia McGill 5 Sandy Pogarcic 6 Hannah Fink 7 Maddie Little 8 Patty Walton.